chatter

¹chat·ter

verb \ˈcha-tər\

Definition of CHATTER

intransitive verb

1

: to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct <squirrels chattered angrily>

2

: to talk idly, incessantly, or fast

3

a : to click repeatedly or uncontrollably <teeth chattering with cold>

b : to vibrate rapidly in cutting <a chattering tool>

c : to vibrate especially audibly as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping <chattering brakes>

transitive verb

: to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly

— chat·ter·er noun

— chat·tery \-tə-rē\ adjective

Examples of CHATTER

1. Children chattered in the middle of the playground.
2. My teeth were chattering from the cold.
3. Birds chattered in the trees.

Origin of CHATTER

Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CHATTER

Synonyms

babble, blab, cackle, chaffer [British], chat, chin [slang], converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz (also kibbitz), natter, palaver, patter, prate, prattle, rap, rattle, run on, schmooze (or shmooze), talk, twitter, visit

Related Words

gossip, tattle; descant, discuss, expatiate; yak (also yack), yammer, yap

Near Antonyms

articulate, enunciate, pronounce

Rhymes with CHATTER

attar, batter, blatter, clatter, flatter, hatter, latter, matter, natter, patter, plaiter, platter, ratter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter

²chatter

noun

Definition of CHATTER

1

: the action or sound of chattering

2

: idle talk : prattle

3

: electronic and especially radio communication between individuals engaged in a common or related form of activity; also : such chatter regarding future hostile activities

Examples of CHATTER

1. heard the chatter of squirrels
2. <pleasant chatter over morning coffee>

First Known Use of CHATTER

13th century

Related to CHATTER

Synonyms

backchat, cackle, causerie, chat, chin music, chin-wag [slang], chitchat, confab, confabulation, gab, gabfest, gossip, jangle, jaw, natter [chiefly British], palaver, patter, rap, schmooze, small talk, table talk, talk, tête-à-tête

Antonyms

quiet, silence, silentness, still, stillness

Related Words

chin-chin; colloquy, conference, discourse, parley, powwow, symposium; debate, dialogue (also dialog), exchange, give-and-take; crosstalk, happy talk; yak (also yack), yammer, yap

Near Antonyms

calm, hush, lull; quietude, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility)

Rhymes with CHATTER

batter, clatter, flatter, matter, natter, patter, plaiter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter